It’s coming… it’s in the trees…
It’s here!
Darlings, whatever calenders and climatologists may say Spring is certainly in the air in The Dandy’s corner of the globe.
These snaps, taken this very day in The Regent’s Park, speak for themselves do they not?
So my question this week is simple…
Will the change in season herald an alteration in your scent habits?
Will the perfume you wear bend like a reed in the wind to reflect the changes in the weather?
Or do you stick with your faithful fragrant friends all year round regardless?
I’m beside myself to discover whether you are part time amours to your favourite aromas or permanent pals with your favourite perfumes.
On which topic, The Dandy‘s aware that he’s not been around as much as he would have liked of late…
Even gentlemen of a leisurely persuasion on occasion have calls made on their time, but this week I will return with a flurry of ‘Guilt-Free Guilty Pleasures’ to burst those abstinent Lent bubbles!
Beware. Fragrant fandangos ahoy!
Yours ever
The Perfumed Dandy.
The Perfumed Dandy. 
I am ready for spring! (Although I really hate daylight savings time- ugh!) I’ve already bought a couple of new violet scents for spring, Jo Malone’s Wisteria & Violet that I can’t stop sniffing and Caron’s Violet Precieuse which is gorgeous, a vetiver and violet fragrance that is unusual and a real find. Now I’m looking for a daffodil fragrance. Narcisse Noir is a bit too heavy for my taste. Any recommendations?? Happy Spring to you!
Dearest Ricky
Happy Spring!
Oh yes, violets. I must admit to being something of an addict all the way from candy style Yardley or VC&A Feerie (which does that delicious dip into rose half way through, like the change from Spring to Summer) to deep pensive ones like Balmain’s Jolie Madame or Caron’s both Precieuse or Aimez Moi.
How interesting that you should ask about daffodils! We had a whole conversation about it here last weekend… I was seeking similar advice. Have a look at the post and you’ll find a host of suggestions.
I adore Narcisse Noire, but agree it’s not a green Spring daffodil by any means.
Yours ever
The Perfumed Dandy
when i was a child, sniffing in the night-
i had but one true love, and that’s all i could see.
now as an adult i sniff at will-
everything which comes to me
(but i still prefer those things made naturally.)
the scents of spring are blossoming.
violets ho!
tuberoses glow!
roses still a no-show.
i found a box
within it lurks
a new fragrance unseen.
it’s little spritz
gave me fits
and now i’m scrubbing.
nothing real-
i just can’t deal
with aldehydes.
i prefer the green
or inbetween
of mixed media.
i should stop
or kate could sue
but i wanted to thank you
for reminding me of this song-
it’s been far too long.
😉
Dearest Einsof
So glad the Hounds of Love did not go unanswered.
*He winks*.
Two steps on the rose water… something green.
You know what I really need.
Enough, before everyone else fears I’ve truly lost my mind and they send the men in power in their big black car to get me…
Yours ever
The Perfumed Dandy
Lucky you with the weather in London today, Scotland wasn’t so lucky so my Sunday walk was thwarted!
As mentioned in the daffodils post, Spring is my favourite time of year. Even in February I’ll start wearing more spring-like perfumes. I find that simple floral scents appeal more, and though they’re very mainstream I really like Baiser Vole and Prada’s Infusion de Fleur d’Oranger. Recently I also bought Luten’s A La Nuit, which a friend said smelled a bit simple and similar to jasmine oils he’d worn in teenage years, but I don’t care! Once its weird pear-drops somewhat loud opening has calmed it’s just a straightforward authentic jasmine. Drole de Rose is lovely at this time of year too. and I’ve just discovered it smells very similar to both Kenzo’s Flower and Al Rehab’s Red Rose (could have saved myself a fortune!) but actually Drole de Rose is the nicest of the three. It’s not exactly ‘me’ whatever that is, but I find it most soothing.
Violets are nice in spring too I agree, and I know I’ve mentioned it many times but Iris de Nuit really appeals in Spring, it would wilt in heat and disappear in colder weather.
A bit off topic, but I’m curious to know if you’ve ever tried Eau d’Hermes, and if so what your impressions are. I ordered a decant recently as it sounds intriguing
I love those flower photos. Happy Spring to you Sir Dandy!
Dearest Rose
So sorry to hear that Spring didn’t make its way north of the border today. Hopefully you will be rewarded with one of those lovely early Summers.
Baiser Vole I rather like, green lily perfumes are often overlooked, I like the swooning-ness of the floral combined with freshness of the leaf.
Do you like Kenzo’s Flower? It gets such a bad press, yet, I’ve never truly understood quite why…. Drole de Rose is lovely, though it reminds me somewhat of scented drawer liner my grandmother had, I think she might even have made them, or bought them from someone who made them. Not a negative association, but a slightly odd one.
Yes, Iris de Nuit, like almost everything by Heeley is beautiful. Delicate, like white spring sunshine.
Oh, but, oh, Eau d’Hermes, are we talking original (copper top) or new (transparent cap)? Both are rather spectacular but quite different!
Yours ever
The Perfumed Dandy
I totally agree re’ Drole de Rose and its Grandmother associations, it also reminds me of a little porcelain cosmetics pot my Grandmother had which contained some sort of rose-scented cream. Very old fashioned, but comforting (depending on the relationship with your grandmother I suppose, if a perfume reminded me of my other grandmother it would give me nightmares!)
With the Eau d’Hermes I’m not entirely sure, except it’s a decant from the perfumed court. I’ve heard the original has tonnes more civet, but I can never tell how I’ll react to that in each perfume. After discovering how much I liked Diorella and generally enjoy refreshing and unusual unisex citrus/floral sorts of perfumes, I really want to try various versions, so I’d love to know your thoughts!
Dearest Rose
The original Eau d’Hermes had stacks, or should that be stoles? Of civet. I adored it, and keep a close eye out for any bargains that may appear, but sadly no, it seems to be priced high above rubies when it very, very rarely appears.
In the current version, the animal intensity is achieved with a leather and cardamom combination (the latter being a JCE favourite, leading me to wonder whether he had a heavy hand in the reformulation). The effect is quite beautiful and as with the Diors the imprint of Roudnitska is still there though changed, refracted through a modern lens. I wonder if you’ve tried Diorling? It’s actually by Paul Vacher, who worked on Miss Dior and Arpege (both collaborations). It’s a hyacinth and leather chypre with bergamot and vetiver. Heavenly and subtly reinterpreted in the new edition.
One that certainly belongs in this scentspace.
Yours ever
The Perfumed Dandy
It’s still cold here and nary a bloom or bud in sight. Spring hasn’t spring here yet. 😦 I generally wear florals year round. Chamade is beginning to call my name now, despite the cold.
Dearest Lily
I know… The Dandy is reading the weather reports for your part of the world and willing warm fronts your way.
Chamade. That’s a breeze that can, and should blow all the year round.
Yes, florals in winter, many people shy away, but I’ve never understood why, hyacinths work particularly well in the cold I’ve always felt.
Wishing you and end to this interminably frost.
Yours ever
The Perfumed Dandy
Thank you, Mr. D., you’re sweet. I hope your wish makes its way over here soon! xo
Spring hasn’t sprung, I mean.
Dearest Lily
Spring, sprung, sprang.
It’s such a wonderful word, I don’t really mind whichever way it’s put!
Yours ever
The Perfumed Dandy
Lovely photographs!
I generally stick to my favourites all year round. It’s quite handy when the cold weather starts to get me down, as I can counteract it by spraying on a cheery floral.
Dearest Nena
I have to confess, there is a certain part of me that agrees wholeheartedly with you. An enormous waft of Eau de Campagne on a freezing winter’s day, the zest of the oranges in Pamplelune when its blizzards outside. Do Son in fog.
It seems that nothing stops me wearing Spring and Summer’ scents in Winter, but I find myself craving them more when the weather changes… and certain ones especially!
Yours ever
The Perfumed Dandy
Spring! Now would be a perfect time to visit Kew Gardens.
Regents Park!
how glorious!
so happy we stopped by to visit you today.
*happy_sigh*
_tg xx
Beautiful pictures!
My Spring has officially started (I declare March 1st as the beginning of the new season) but this year was weird weather- and perfume-wise for me so I’m not sure if any significant change will happen before Summer (either “my official” – June1st or based on the temperature outside).